The United Nations Human Settlements Agency (UN-HABITAT) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The overarching and long-term goal of UN-HABITAT is sustainable urbanization created by cities and regions that provides citizens with adequate services, security and employment opportunities while limiting their ecological footprint .

The UN-HABITAT Governing Council (G22) adopted a resolution on Cities and Climate Change. Since 2008, UN-HABITAT has initiated the Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI) working together with local authorities and communities to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Over the last three years the number of cities benefitting from the UN-HABITAT CCCI has increased from 4 in 2008, 9 in 2009, 18 in 2010 and 28 in 2011. A regional roll-out strategy for Africa and Asia is being finalized